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Fiery red on the Amalfi coast

It’s been an exciting week with yet more wildfires on the Amalfi coast. Helicopters and sea planes have been dumping water onto brush fires high on the steep mountains that overlook the sea, whilst roads have been closed due to safety concerns.

Tomatoes drying for winter use

But that didn’t stop the latest Explore! team from enjoying the stunning scenery, plentiful wine and great food that is on offer here. 15 clients trekked into the National Park, along the stunning coastal clifftop path, down ancient steps to Amalfi, across Pompei’s iconic streets and to the summit of Vesuvius. A hot week indeed!

Yet more adventures in Italy

A view down to Amalfi

A view down to Amalfi

Mountain Experience are delighted to return to the Amalfi coast of Italy. Hot sunshine, fantastic food, scenery and beaches; what a great way to end a day’s walking!

A whole month of Africa

Mountain Experience have had a fantastic month in Kenya and Tanzania, working with Camps International and West Hatch School from Essex. Several weeks of project work preceded the finale, an attempt on Mt Meru, Africa’s 5th highest peak.

The view from Meru summit with Little Meru, Rhino Point, the Ash cone and Kilimanjaro all visible.

The view from Meru summit with Little Meru, Rhino Point, the Ash cone and Kilimanjaro all visible.

Staff and students mixing concrete for a floor.

Staff and students mixing concrete for a floor.

Installing windows into a classroom.

Installing windows into a classroom.

The project work was diverse and included deworming goats, building Elephant deterrent fences, laying floors, making mud bricks, mixing concrete, digging ditches, crafting desks, installing windows, the list could go on…….!

The trek was a great challenge and resulted in 27 of 28 people safely reaching the summit. Special thanks go to Sammy K and the staff of Camp Tsavo for looking after us so well and of course, to the staff and students of West Hatch School for their fantastic effort during the trip.

A herd of elephant visiting a waterhole near our camp.

A herd of elephant visiting a waterhole near our camp.

A proud mum telling us about her family.

A proud mum telling us about her family.

A great three weeks in Vietnam

Mountain Experience are proud to have been associated with Belmont House School on their recent trip to Vietnam. Working with Outlook expeditions, the team spent time visiting the sights of Hanoi before moving onto the village of Tien Dong where they undertook project work at a kindergarten and school.

Hot work in the fields

Hot work in the fields

They cut back undergrowth, shifted building debris and painted a series of murals that they designed themselves.

Team members walking through the fields near Sa Pa, North Vietnam

Team members walking through the fields near Sa Pa, North Vietnam

The team also spent several days trekking through the beautiful scenery of the Tonkin Alps where they stayed in local villagers homes, before moving on to the coast and visiting the stunning Ha Long bay area.

Sa Pa market place

Sa Pa market place

Red Dzao villagers on the trail

Red Dzao villagers on the trail

Water buffalo getting out of the heat

Water buffalo getting out of the heat

Third successful week at Amalfi finished.

Mountain Experience have had a great third week on the Amalfi Coast with Explore! It was a wrench to leave such a great venue, but made easier knowing we will be back in the autumn.

Team members hailed from Canada, Australia, the US and UK. New friendships were forged as they explored the old paths in and around the Amalfi coast, and made the most of their day on Capri by reaching parts of the Island other teams don’t usually get to.

Team posing above the Walk of the Gods

Team posing above the Walk of the Gods

View down toward Capri from the Walk of the Gods

View down toward Capri from the Walk of the Gods

Another week of Amalfi adventures!

Mountain Experience are still having great adventures on the stunning Amalfi coast. This week was the turn of Team Rapeedo to put themselves through the paces with stunning scenery and beautiful walks on the peninsular.

“Thank you for a fantastic holiday!” Said Roz, “You’ve been a brilliant tour leader and I’ve laughed throughout.”

Explore clients on the Walk of the Gods

Explore clients on the Walk of the Gods

Passion Flower at the side of the track

Passion Flower at the side of the track

View from Villa Lysis, Capri, back to the mainland

View from Villa Lysis, Capri, back to the mainland

Sun and fun on the Amalfi coast

Mountain Experience have just had a great week working in conjunction with “Explore!” on the Amalfi coast of Italy.

A team of 15 spent the week trekking and enjoying the incredible scenery on the Sorrentine Peninsular, with trips to Capri, Pompeii and Vesuvius included for good measure!

high above the valley floor

high above the valley floor

The beautiful Walk of the Gods takes the high ground between Bomerano and Nocelle high above the Mediterranean coastline before dropping down to Positano

The beautiful Walk of the Gods takes the high ground between Bomerano and Nocelle high above the Mediterranean coastline before dropping down to Positano

“We owe Nigel a big thank you” said Penny M on behalf of the group, “He’s been patient, informative, organised and above all fun!”

Three students achieve Silver Navigation Award

Mountain Experience were delighted to award three students with the National Navigation Silver Award this weekend.The course was delivered and assessed by Nigel Lewis, who holds the International Mountain Leader award.

Braving heavy rain and poor visibility over both days, the students successfully navigated themselves and their team mates over open ground and several summits.

But the poor weather didn’t spoil things. “I really enjoyed it!” said Penny L and John P said, “The best thing about the course was the clarity of teaching.”

NNAS students planning their route across featureless ground in poor visibility.

NNAS students planning their route across featureless ground in poor visibility.

North face of Craig Cerrig Gleisiad.

North face of Craig Cerrig Gleisiad.

John, Gareth and Penny on Fan Frynych, with the best visibility of the weekend.

John, Gareth and Penny on Fan Frynych, with the best visibility of the weekend.

From Nepal to Snowdon with Camps International

Mountain Experience were delighted to work with Camps International in two different environments over the last two weeks.

Over the end of March and into April, Nigel Lewis accompanied Dubai English Speaking College on a Camps International trip to Nepal. Three teachers and twenty one pupils took part in activities such as rafting, high ropes course, trekking and a school visit.

Looking north to Tibet

Looking north to Tibet

 

 

Walking home from school, Nepali style

Walking back to camp from a Nepali school

 

Superb accomodation at “The Last Resort”

One of the pupils summed up the week long experience with one word. “Perfect!”

Just a week later and Mountain Experience were again working with Camps International and in conjunction with School Camps Ltd, guiding school parties to the summit of Snowdon for sunrise. This experience will put them in good stead for future expeditions that involve an early start to gain an exotic summit. 26 out of 28 pupils made the top and everyone put in a great effort!

Sunrise over llyn llydaw from Snowdon summit

Sunrise over llyn llydaw from Snowdon summit

View to Yr Aran  from  Snowdon summit.

View to Yr Aran from Snowdon summit.

 

 

 

 

 

International Mountain Leader award

Mountain Experience are delighted to announce that Nigel Lewis has gained the prestigious International Mountain Leader award. It’s a mandatory requirement for working in some Alpine countries and recognised by 20 nations.
“I’ve had a great week” said Nigel. “I got to work with some fantastic people who helped to make the process such good fun.”

The award usually takes around three years to complete and tests a leader’s ability in both summer and winter environments.

just some of the kit carried by a winter IML

just some of the kit carried by a winter IML

 

Snowshoe trekking in the French Pyrenees

Snowshoe trekking in the French Pyrenees

 

Cambre D'Ase and Eyne Valley, Pyrenees Orientals

Cambre D’Ase and Eyne Valley, Pyrenees Orientals